Surgical Programs

• Certificate in Surgical Technology

Program Description
Surgical Technology is a three-term certificate program that presents the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a surgical environment and function as a vital member of the operating room team. The learning environment consists of the campus classroom and laboratory along with local hospitals, day surgery centers and physicians offices. Accreditation is from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduates are eligible to take the Surgical Technologist National Certifying Examination. Surgical Technologists who take and pass this examination are certified and authorized to use the initials CST to designate their status as Certified Surgical Technologist.

Career and Advancement Opportunities
Surgical Technologists perform many roles within and outside the operating room or surgical setting, but the primary role is to prepare and protect the sterile field, pass instruments and assist the surgeon in an operative procedure. There is a demand for Surgical Technologists in Albuquerque and throughout the state of New Mexico.

Special Requirements
Liberal arts courses must be completed before beginning the surgical technology core courses. All Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B or C. For Health, Wellness & Public Safety courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned. A grade of C or better in all liberal arts courses is required for graduation. Before beginning Surgical Technology courses, students must present a physical exam, PPD and current immunizations (tetanus, rubella, rubeola and hepatitis B). Students may be required to undergo routine drug screening and a criminal background check prior to beginning their clinical experience. Students are required to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider that they can safely lift a minimum of 50 lbs. prior to beginning their clinical experience. Students must have the emotional and physical stamina to stand for extended periods of time (8 to 10 hours) while concentrating on a specific task. Students are required to pay a program fee of $90 which covers the cost of a uniform, hospital parking permits, name tags, self-assessment exam, program assessment exam and preventative lab tests in case of needle stick or other exposure to bodily fluids.

Graduation Policy
Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division students must graduate under the current catalog.
 Pre- and co requisites are listed in course descriptions and are subject to change with each new catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the pre- and/or co requisites in effect for the term in which a course is taken, regardless of the catalog under which the student entered or will graduate. Students may be stopped from enrolling or may be disenrolled if pre- or co requisites are not met.
 Students who have successfully completed courses that no longer exist from previous catalogs will be accommodated. Contact the department at (505) 224-4111 for more information.